Motetti Spirituali - Sulpitia Cesis (1619), ed. Richard Shakeshaft
The 23 motets in Motetti Spirituali generally set unfamiliar texts which are suited to a range of liturgical festivals. The original texts and their translations, as offered in each of the editions available through imprimis are detailed here, along with suggestions of some of the occasions for which they may be suited. This compilation is not authoritative, and all errors are mine, but it is offered in order to make Sulpitia Cesis’s work more widely accessible. Please contact me directly to suggest any emendations, especially with respect to the liturgical suitability of the texts.
| 1. Cantemus Domino (SSAATTBB) | |
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Cantemus Domino, gloriose enim magnificatus est: equum et ascensorem projecit in mare. Fortitudo mea Dominus, et factus est mihi in salutem. Iste Deus meus, et glorificabo eum; Deus patris mei, et exaltabo eum. |
Let us sing unto the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he cast into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify him; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. |
| Source: Exodus chapter 15 verses 1-2 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 2. Jubilate Deo (SSAATTBB) | |
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Jubilate Deo, omnis terra; psalmum dicite nomini ejus, date gloriam laudi ejus. Benedicite, gentes, Deum nostrum, et auditum facite vocem laudis ejus. Dicite Deo: quam terribilia sunt opera tua, Domine! In multitudine virtutis tuæ mentientur tibi inimici tui. Omnis terra adoret te, et psallat tibi, Domine. |
O be joyful in God, all ye lands: sing praises unto the honour of his Name, make his praise to be glorious. O praise our God, ye people: and make the voice of his praise to be heard; Say unto God, O how wonderful art thou in thy works: through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee. For all the world shall worship thee: sing of thee, and praise thy Name. |
| Source: Psalm 66 verses 1-3 and 7 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 3. O crux splendidior (SSAATTBB) | |
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O crux, splendidior cunctis astris, mundo celebris, hominibus multum amabilis, sanctior universis quæ sola fuisti digna portare talentum mundi; dulce lignum, dulces clavos, dulcia ferens pondera; salva præsentem catervam in tuis hodie laudibus congregatam. |
O Cross, more radiant than all the stars, renowned throughout the world, most dearly beloved of men, holier than all created things: thou alone wast worthy to bear the ransom of the world. O sweet wood, bearing sweet nails and the weight of sweet redemption: save, we beseech thee, this congregation now gathered to laud and magnify thee this day. |
| Source: text from the Office of the Holy Cross | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 4. Hodie gloriosus Pater Augustinus (SSAATTBB) | |
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Hodie gloriosus Pater Augustinus, dissoluta hujus habitationis domum non manu factam accepit in cælis ubi Assumptus est cum angelis, ubi gaudet cum prophetis, lætatur cum apostolis; quorum plenus spiritu, quod iam sitivit internum gustat æternum decoratus una stola securus que dereliqua. |
This day the glorious Father Augustine, his earthly house of this habitation dissolved, hath received a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, where he is taken up with the angels, where he rejoiceth with the prophets, and is glad with the apostles. Being now full of the Spirit, he tasteth inwardly that eternal life for which he did thirst, adorned with a single robe, and in sure confidence, having laid aside all else. |
| Source: Antiphon for the Feast of St Augustine | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 5. Dulce nomen Jesu Christe (SSAATTBB) | |
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Dulce nomen Jesu Christi, omnem afferens justitiam, jocundans mentem jubilo. Confiteamur ergo et laudemus hoc nomen magnum, quoniam terribile et sanctum est. Hi in curribus et hi in equis, nos autem in nomine Jesu exultabimus, quoniam terribile et sanctum est. |
The sweet Name of Jesus Christ, bringing all righteousness, rejoicing the soul with gladness. Let us therefore make our confession, and praise this great Name; for it is holy and full of awe. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will exult in the Name of Jesus; for it is holy and full of awe. |
| Source: Antiphon for the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 6. Salve gemma confessorum (SSAATTBB) | |
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Salve gemma confessorum, lumen Christi, vox cælorum, tuba vitæ, lux doctorum, præsul beatissime: qui te patrem venerantur, te ductore consequantur vitam in qua gloriantur beatorum animæ. Amen. |
Hail, thou jewel of confessors, light of Christ, voice of the heavens, trumpet of life, bright lamp of the teachers of the Church, most blessed bishop: Grant that all who honour thee as father, being led by thy guidance, may attain that life wherein the souls of the blessed rejoice. Amen. |
| Source: Hymn for the Feast of a Confessor Bishop | |
Liturgical Suitability: this text would suit the Feast of a Confessor Bishop (non-martyr), such as
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| 7. Ascendo at Patrem (SSAATTBB) | |
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Ascendo ad Patrem meum et Patrem vestrum, Deum meum et Deum vestrum. Alleluia. Et cum assumptus fuero a vobis, mittam Spiritum veritatis, et gaudebit cor vestrum. |
I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God. Alleluia. And when I shall be taken up from you, I will send the Spirit of truth, and your heart shall rejoice. |
| Source: text from the Gospel of John 20.17, and chapter 16.7, 22 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 8. Hic est beatissimus Apostolus (SSAATTBB) | |
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Hic est beatissimus apostolus et evangelista Joannes, qui privilegio amoris præcipui cæteris altius a Domino meruit honorari. Hic est discipulus ille, quem diligebat Jesus, qui supra pectus Domini in cœna recubuit. |
This is the most blessed Apostle and Evangelist John, who, for his greater love, was deemed worthy to be honoured above all others by the Lord. This is that same disciple whom Jesus loved, who leant upon the breast of the Lord at supper. |
| Source: Antiphon for the Feast of St John the Evangelist | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 9a. Ecce ego Joannes (SSAATB) | (SATTBB) | |
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Ecce ego Joannes vidi, et audivi vocem angelorum multorum in circuitu throni et animalium et seniorum et erat numerus eorum millia millium dicentium: dignus est Agnus qui occisus est. Accipere virtutem, et divinitatem et sapientiam, et gloriam et honorem et benedictionem. |
Behold, I, John, saw and heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders, and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. |
| Source: Revelation chapter 5 verses 11-12 | |
Liturgical Suitability: this text is ideal for Eastertide, particularly
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| 9b. Magi videntes stellam (ST) | |
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Magi videntes stellam, dixerunt ad invicem: hoc signum magni regis est; eamus et inquiramus eum, et offeramus ei munera: aurum, thus et myrrham. Alleluia. |
The Magi, when they beheld the star, said among themselves: This is the sign of a mighty King; let us go and seek him, and offer unto him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Alleluia. |
| Source: text is a paraphrase of Matthew chapter 2, verses 1-2 and 11 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 10. Parvulus filius hodie natus (SSSAAAAATTBB) | |
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Parvulus filius hodie natus est nobis. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et vocabitur nomen eius Admirabilis, Deus fortis, Pater futuri sæculi. Gloria in excelsis Deo. Et factus est principatus eius super humerum eius. Gloria in excelsis Deo. |
A baby boy is this day born unto us. Glory be to God on high. And his Name shall be called Wonderful, the mighty God, the everlasting Father. Glory be to God on high. And the government shall be upon his shoulder. Glory be to God on high. |
| Source: Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6, with doxology | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 12a. Puer qui natus est nobis hodie (SSAATB) | |
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Puer qui natus est nobis hodie, plus quam propheta, hic est enim de quo salvator ait:
inter natos mulierum, non surrexit major Joanne Baptista. Alleluia. |
The child born unto us this day is more than a prophet; for this is he of whom the Saviour saith:
Among them that are born of women, there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist. Alleluia |
| Source: text for the feast of St John the Baptist from The Wilton Processional, a late-thirteenth century manuscript belonging to the women’s Benedictine house of Wilton Abbey | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 12b. Maria Magdalena (SB) | |
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Maria Magdalena, et altera Maria ibant diluculo ad monumentum. Jesum quem quæritis non est hic: surrexit sicut dixit; præcedet vos in Galileam, ibi eum videbitis. |
Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, went very early in the morning unto the tomb. Jesus, whom ye seek, is not here: for he is risen, as he said; he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him. |
| Source: text from Matthew chapter 28, verses 1-7 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 13. Cantate Domino (SSAATTBB) | |
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Cantate Domino canticum novum; cantate Domino, omnis terra. Cantate Domino canticum novum, et benedicite nomini eius: annuntiate de die in diem salutare eius. Psallite Deo nostro, psallite; psallite sapienter regi nostro. Jubilate Deo, omnis terra, et exsultate ei cum tremore: quoniam suavis est Dominus. Cantate Domino gloriose; jubilate Deo Jacob: quia ipse est Deus, fecit nos, et non ipsi nos. |
O sing unto the Lord a new song; sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and bless his holy Name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Sing praises unto our God, sing praises; yea, sing praises wisely unto our King. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth; rejoice before him with reverent fear. For the Lord is gracious; sing unto the Lord with glory, and rejoice before the God of Jacob. For he is our God; it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. |
| Source: text is taken from the Book of Psalms, including portions of Psalms 96, 47 and 100 | |
Liturgical Suitability: this text, being composite and exultant, is suited for major festal celebrations. It could be used for
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| 14. Sub tuum præsidium (SSAATTBB) | |
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Sub tuum præsidium confugimus, clementissima Virgo. Suscipe nos, unica spes nostra, et nostris delectare laudibus, quibus indigni omni te laude, dignissima, collaudamus. Iniquitates nostras aufer a nobis, ut digni canamus tibi gloriæ melos. |
Under thy protection do we flee for refuge, O most merciful Virgin. Receive us, thou only hope of our souls, and be thou pleased with our praises; for though unworthy to offer thee any praise, yet do we laud thee together, O most worthy Lady. Take away our iniquities from us, that we may be made worthy to sing unto thee a song of glory. |
| Source: Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary | |
Liturgical Suitability: this text is best suited for feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially
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| 15a. Stabat Mater (SATB) | |
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Stabat Mater dolorosa juxta crucem lacrimosa, dum pendebat Filius. Cujus animam gementem, contristantem et dolentem, pertransivit gladius. O quam tristis et a±icta fuit illa benedicta Mater Unigeniti! Quis est homo qui non fleret, Christi Matrem si videret in tanto supplicio? Sancta Mater, istud agas: crucifixi plagas cordi meo valide. Tui Nati vulnerati, iam dignati pro me pati, pænas mecum divide. Fac me plagis vulnerari, cruce hac inebriari, ob amorem Filii. Quando corpus morietur, fac ut animæ donetur Paradisi gloria. |
The sorrowful Mother stood beside the Cross, weeping, while her Son hung there. Her grieving, sorrowing soul, deeply troubled and in anguish, was pierced by the sword. O how sad and a±icted was that blessed Mother of the Only-Begotten! Who is he that would not weep, if he beheld the Mother of Christ in such torment? Holy Mother, do thou grant this: let the wounds of the Crucified be deeply imprinted upon my heart. Of thy wounded Son, who deigned to suffer for me, share with me the pains. Let me be wounded with His wounds, let me be overwhelmed by the Cross, for the love of the Son. And when my body dieth, grant that my soul may be given the glory of Paradise. |
| Source: text traditionally attributed to Jacopone da Todi (ca.1230–1306) | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 15b. Angelus ad Pastores (SSBB) | (SSAA) | |
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Angelus ad pastores ait: annuntio vobis gaudium magnum, quia natus est vobis hodie Salvator mundi; et vocabitur Deus fortis, Admirabilis, Princeps pacis, Pater futuri sæculi, cujus regni non erit finis. |
The Angel said unto the shepherds: I bring you tidings of great joy, for unto you is born this day a Saviour of the world; And his Name shall be called The Mighty God, The Wonderful, The Prince of Peace, The Father of the world to come, whose kingdom shall have no end. |
| Source: text is drawn from Luke chapter 2, verses 10-11 and Isaiah chapter 9, verse 6 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 16. Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel (SSAATTBB) | |
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Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel, qui facit mirabilia magna solus. Quis Deus magnus sicut Deus noster? Tu es Deus qui facis mirabilia. Benedictum nomen majestatis tuæ in æternum. Replebitur majestatis tuæ omnis terra, fiat. |
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who alone doeth great wonders. Who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders. Blessed be the name of thy majesty for ever. And let the whole earth be filled with thy majesty. Amen. |
| Source: Based on Psalm 72, verses 18–19 | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 17. Io son ferito, sì (SSAATTBB) | |
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Io son ferito, sì, ma chi mi diede accusar non vò già, se ben n’ho prova. Cinque piaghe nel corpo ne fan fede, che versan sangue; e della piaga nova io non spasm’è, non moro; e pur si vede il mio nemico ben si trova. Ma di chiodi d’amor ho bel partito, che sanato m’ha quel che m’ha ferito. |
I am wounded, yea; but him that wounded me I will not accuse, though I bear the tokens thereof. Five wounds in my body bear witness, and they pour forth blood; and of a newer wound I faint not, neither do I die; yet it is manifest. Mine adversary is well content. Yet by the nails of love am I well bound: for he that wounded me, the same hath made me whole. |
| Source: text is a devotional text of an unknown source | |
| Liturgical Suitability: while this text is not strictly liturgical, it is deeply devotional and in keeping with Good Friday meditations, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, contemplative Passion devotions, mystical or monastic use, particularly influenced by St Bernard and later by St John of the Cross | |
| 18. Peccò, Signor, quest’alma (SSAATTBB) | |
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Peccò, Signor, quest’alma: or piange e grida il suo grave fallire, e tua clemenza, tua pietà l’affida. Che se col tuo morire già la tornasti in vita, horagli presta aita, acciò, disciolta dal corporeo velo, lieta se’n voli a rivederti in cielo. |
This soul, O Lord, hath sinned; now doth it weep and cry aloud for the grievousness of its fault, and casteth itself upon thy mercy and thy tender pity. For if by thy death thou didst once restore it unto life, now, we beseech thee, grant it thine aid, that, being loosed from the veil of flesh, it may with joy ascend to behold thee again in heaven. |
| Source: unknown | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 19. Quest’è la bella santa vincitrice (SSAATTBB) | |
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Quest’è la bella e santa vincitrice, che di tenace fede armato il petto, sprezzando ogni diletto e’l fral viver amico, vint’ha’l mondo, la carne ’l suo nemico. Godi dunque felice, anima bella, in mezzo al divin coro del celeste tesoro, il ben di cui bramar maggior non lice. |
Behold the fair and holy conqueror, who with steadfast faith hath girded her breast, despising all delight, and the frail pleasures of this life. She hath overcome the world, the flesh, and her ancient foe. Rejoice therefore, O happy soul, amid the heavenly choir, and in the treasure of heaven possess the good than which none greater may be desired. |
| Source: text for the Feast of St Catherine of Alexandria, “per il giorno di S Catarina” as noted in the partbooks | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 20a. Il mio più vago sole (SAATB) | |
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Il mio più vago sole, morto, par che più avampi, e più dell’alme i campi scaldar all’ombra d’un bel tronco ei suole. E ben è duro sasso, d’ogni humor privo e casso, ò pur terra spinosa e persa in tutto, quella ch’a sì bei raggi niega il frutto. |
My fairest Sun, though now He be as dead, yet seems He to burn with greater flame, and more to warm the fields of souls beneath the shadow of a goodly Tree. And surely, hard is that stone, void of all moisture and dry as dust, or else that ground, thorny and utterly barren, that to such beauteous beams refuseth fruit. |
| Source: unknown source | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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| 20b. O Domine Jesu Christe (SSAATTBB) | |
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O Domine Jesu Christe, adoro te in cruce vulneratum, felle et aceto potatum: deprecor te ut vulnera tua sint remedium animæ meæ, et mors tua sit vita mea. |
O Lord Jesu Christ, I adore thee, wounded on the cross, and given gall and vinegar to drink: I beseech thee that thy wounds may be the remedy of my soul, and that thy death may be my life. |
| Source: text attributed to St Gregory, and found in Prayers of St Gregory on the Passion of the Lord | |
Liturgical Suitability:
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Motetti Spirituali Index
Motetti Spirituali is a set of eight partbooks: Cantus, Altus, Tenor and Bassus as Primus Chorus and Secundus Chorus. Although most of the motets are for eight voices, there are others for two, four, five and twelve voices. The books have been printed to use the 21 pages of music efficiently, which means that while the eight part motets can be easily numbered, the remaining motets fill the blank pages. This table is an index of each book showing the page numbers of each motet, with a simple numbering scheme I have used when organising the pages, based on the page numbers; the omission of a number 11 is deliberate, as Parvulus filius uses two pages in the books.
| Number | Title | Cantus Primus Chorus | Altus Primus Chorus | Tenor Primus Chorus | Bassus Primus Chorus | Cantus Secundus Chorus | Altus Secundus Chorus | Tenor Secundus Chorus | Bassus Secundus Chorus | Voices |
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| 1 | Cantemus Domino | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8vv |
| 2 | Jubilate Deo | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8vv |
| 3 | O Crux splendidior | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 8vv |
| 4 | Hodie gloriosus Pater Augustinus | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8vv |
| 5 | Dulce nomen Jesu Christe | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 8vv |
| 6 | Salve gemma confessorum | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8vv |
| 7 | Ascendo ad Patrem | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8vv |
| 8 | Hic est beatissimus Apostolus | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8vv |
| 9a | Ecce ego Joannes | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | - | - | 9 | 9 | 6vv |
| 9b | Magi videntes stellam | - | - | - | - | 9 | Tenor Secundus Chorus: 9 | - | - | 2vv |
| 10 | Parvulus filius hodie natus | 10-11 | 10-11 | 10-11 | 10 | Tenor Primus Chorus: 10-11 | Tenor [2] Primus Chorus: 10-11 | Primus Tenor: 10 Secundus Tenor: 10-11 Tertius Tenor: 11 | Bassus Secundus Chorus: 10 Cantus Secundus Chorus: 10-11 Altus Secundus Chorus: 11 | 12vv |
| 12a | Puer qui natus est nobis hodie | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | - | 12 | 12 | - | 6vv |
| 12b | Maria Magdalena | - | - | - | - | 12 | - | - | 12 | 2vv |
| 13 | Cantate Domino | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 8vv |
| 14 | Sub tuum præsidium | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 8vv |
| 15a | Stabat Mater | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | - | - | - | - | 4vv |
| 15b | Angelus ad pastores | - | - | - | - | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 4vv |
| 16 | Benedictus Dominus Deus Israel | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 8vv |
| 17 | Io son ferito, sì | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 8vv |
| 18 | Peccò, Signor, quest’alma | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 8vv |
| 19 | Quest’è la bella santa vincitrice | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 8vv |
| 20a | Il mio più vago sole | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | - | - | 20 | - | 5vv |
| 20b | O Domine Jesu Christe | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 8vv |